Govt Revokes Thousands of Certificates Issued by the Kenya Institute of Management 

Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter, where we cover the closure of the Kenya Institute of Management. We also cover a proposal to have EPRA review pump prices every two weeks.

Govt Revokes Certificates Issued by Kenya Institute of Management

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) ordered the immediate closure of all Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) campuses nationwide over accreditation concerns.

As reported by the Business Daily, TVETA said KIM has been offering and awarding academic and professional programmes without proper accreditation, in violation of the TVET Act.

Investigations revealed that the institution was also running unapproved courses and engaging unlicensed trainers.

TVETA further warned that certificates issued by the institution after 2018 are not recognised for employment, further education, or professional advancement.

This puts thousands of past graduates at risk of losing jobs. Those who pursued further studies using the institution's certificates also face uncertainty over the new government's move.

The institution was established in 1954 and offers seven diploma courses ranging from business management to human resources management.

Meanwhile, as reported by Nation, KIM acknowledged receipt of the regulator’s notice dated April 20, 2026, stating that it is treating the matter with urgency as it seeks clarity and resolution.

The institution said it has already initiated a review of the notice and is engaging relevant authorities to address the issues raised.

Meta Introduces Ads on WhatsApp in Kenya

Meta has begun rolling out advertising on WhatsApp in Kenya as it opens up new opportunities for businesses and advertisers.

As reported by the Business Daily, the company said users will start seeing ads in Status and Channels, while personal chats, calls and private messages will remain end-to-end encrypted and free of advertising.

Meta said the ads will appear between users’ Status updates and as promoted Channels, similar to how ads are displayed on Instagram Stories. The rollout follows earlier deployments in global markets such as India, where WhatsApp is widely used.

For businesses, when users tap on a Status ad, it opens a direct chat with the business, allowing for instant engagement. WhatsApp’s model also allows businesses to complete transactions within the app, reducing drop-off rates associated with external links.

Meta has not disclosed the pricing of WhatsApp ads in Kenya, though advertising on its other platforms typically follows cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM) models.

NTSA Dismisses Claims on KD Number Plate Ban 

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dismissed reports that it has restricted the use of KD number plates, even as car dealers warn of disruptions under new operational rules.

As reported by Capital Business, Director General Nashon Kondiwa said KD plates remain legal under the Traffic Act, clarifying that their use has not been banned. However, NTSA reiterated that KD plates are limited to specific functions such as test drives, towing, and vehicle transfers.

Dealers have raised concerns over delays, particularly in transporting imported vehicles from Mombasa to Nairobi, as NTSA insists cars must be fully registered before leaving container freight stations.

The Authority also defended the requirement for comprehensive insurance, citing risks associated with unregistered vehicles, while linking tighter controls to past misuse and vehicle theft cases.

Manufacturers Warn of Price Hikes and Delays as Iran Conflict Disrupts Trade

The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has dealt a major blow to Kenya’s manufacturing sector, triggering delays in the supply of raw materials amidst rising costs.

According to Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) CEO Tobias Olando, over 78.6% of firms have been affected, with delivery timelines nearly doubling and raw material shortages disrupting production.

As reported by Capital Business, freight costs have surged sharply, with some 40-foot container charges rising from Ksh232,000 ($1,800) to Ksh1.29 million ($10,000), pushing up overall production costs.

Key inputs such as plastics, chemicals, and packaging materials have been hit hardest, with 96% of manufacturers relying on imports.

KAM warns that firms may pass rising costs on to consumers and urges the government to implement tax relief measures to cushion the sector.

MP Proposes 14-Day Fuel Price Reviews During Global Disruptions

Rongo MP Paul Abuor has proposed amendments to the law to allow the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to review fuel prices every 14 days, rather than the current monthly cycle, during periods of global instability.

As reported by Eastleigh Voice, the MP said the amendment to the Petroleum Act aims to ensure consumers benefit faster when global fuel prices drop. Currently, prices are adjusted every 30 days, often delaying relief.

The proposal would allow the Energy Cabinet Secretary, in consultation with EPRA, to declare an emergency pricing period and trigger biweekly reviews.

During this period, prices would only decrease or remain unchanged, with no upward adjustments allowed.

Abuor said the reform is not price control but a timing improvement, maintaining the current pricing formula while enhancing responsiveness to global market shifts.

Expat Jobs in NGOs Drop to Five-Year Low Amid Funding Cuts

The number of expatriates working in Kenya’s Public Benefits Organisation (PBO) sector has dropped by 81.7% to 924 in the 2024/25 financial year, down from 5,040 in 2020/21, despite overall workforce growth.

As reported by the Business Daily, the decline comes amid funding challenges, with support for Kenyan projects falling by Ksh6.8 billion.

The sector has also been hit by US policy shifts, including cuts to USAID funding, with contracts worth over Ksh108 billion terminated in March 2025.

A proposed law could further reduce expatriate roles by requiring organisations to reserve two-thirds of jobs for Kenyans.

North America remained the largest funding source at Ksh93.11 billion, followed by Europe and Africa.

HELB Defaults Hit Ksh39.6 Billion as Job Crisis Deepens

Nearly half of university graduates over the past five years have defaulted on Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, highlighting the impact of rising youth unemployment.

Data from the Auditor-General shows 281,459 former students have defaulted on Ksh39.63 billion, accounting for 44% of HELB’s Ksh89.9 billion in bad loans.

The crisis has strained HELB’s ability to fund new students, with over 163,000 learners locked out of loans in the year ending June 2025 due to funding shortages.

Kenya created only 75,000 formal jobs in 2024, with most opportunities in the informal sector, making loan recovery difficult.

Graduates working informal jobs lack employer-based deductions, weakening repayments. HELB warns that the rising defaults threaten the sustainability of its revolving fund model and future access to student financing. Read more

Diaspora Remittances Hit Record Ksh58.1 Billion in March Despite Global Risks

Kenyans abroad sent a record Ksh58.12 billion (US$450.30 million) in March 2026, up 6.5% from a year earlier and surpassing the previous high set in December 2024.

As reported by the Kenyan Wall Street, this pushed Q1 inflows to Ksh164.53 billion (US$1.27 billion), reinforcing remittances as Kenya’s top foreign exchange source.

However, the Central Bank has revised the 2026 forecast down to Ksh659.18 billion (US$5.1 billion), citing risks in Gulf markets linked to geopolitical tensions.

The US remains the largest source, contributing over 50% of inflows, followed by Europe. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's remittances declined, while the UAE recorded growth.

Despite Gulf headwinds, inflows remain resilient, even as Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves drop to Ksh1.72 trillion (US$13.3 billion).

Car Importers to Access Financing in New Absa–Japan Deal

Vehicle importers are set to benefit from a new partnership between Absa Bank Kenya and Japan-based exporter World Navi aimed at easing car import challenges.

The deal combines Absa’s asset-based financing with World Navi’s vehicle sourcing, allowing importers to access credit while purchasing units from Japan through a single channel.

The arrangement targets key pain points such as high upfront costs, unpredictable shipping fees, and delays caused by multiple intermediaries.

As reported by Capital Business, importers will access financing covering both vehicle purchase and shipping, improving cash flow for small dealers who dominate the market.

The model also offers high loan-to-value ratios, extended repayment periods, and additional working capital support.

The partners say the framework will enhance transparency, quality assurance, and efficiency, as demand for direct vehicle imports from Japan continues to grow.